Hospital's kidney dialysis unit earns high marks

September 09, 2008|By Emily Arthur-Richardt, earthur@aberdeennews.com

The doctor who runs Avera St. Lukes Hospital's kidney dialysis unit says a teamwork approach led to the hospital's favorable findings on the most recent dialysis facility report. The report was based on data the hospital is required to collect every month. The hospital graded especially high in the mortality category. According to the report, the number of deaths from 2004 to 2007 was 47 percent lower than expected. Only 3 percent of dialysis units nationwide had such a low mortality rate. "Whenever complex medical care is needed, you have to use the team approach," Dr. Shadid Chaudhary said. "...You have people who really want to do good. They came into health care to help people." For more on this story, check back online or read Wednesday's American News.